Lucas Michael Fitzgerald

Lucas Michael Fitzgerald: August 10, 1975 -- October 24, 2023 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:27-28 

Lucas was born in San Francisco, California. His parents, Michael and Christie, were surprised to learn that it wasn't one big Lucas, but Aaron and Lucas, twin brothers. These brothers were raised to love Jesus and to serve their church. The boys grew up in Pacifica and were baptized and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. 

Lucas was an outstanding multi-sport athlete in high school including a league champion in tennis and starting point guard on the varsity basketball team. It helped that he could run a mile in 5:08! He proved tenacious in that after being cut by the high school baseball team, he went on to win All-League Honors at community colleges as a pitcher ultimately receiving a baseball scholarship to Loyola Marymount University where he held the record for most strikeouts. 

Lucas graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1997 with a BA in English. He received his CA teaching credential and a Lutheran teaching certificate in 1999, followed by a Masters degree in Reformation Theology in 2001 from Concordia University, Irvine. 

Erin Sharp met Lucas in 1998 at Concordia University in an education course.  She was immediately drawn to Lucas when during a class presentation he openly shared about his faith and they became friends.  Erin prayed to the Lord that if she ran into Lucas during her walk to class, she would have the courage to invite him to her 21st birthday dinner with her family. She did run into him and somehow her family didn't scare him away. He proposed to Erin in the small chapel on the Concordia campus, and they were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Orange in 2001. 

Lucas faithfully supported Erin during their challenging pregnancy journey, which was full of unexpected health challenges. God blessed them with two beautiful and miraculous girls, Christie (15) and Hannah (12). It's hard to forget the shouts of joy and happy tears that streamed down Lucas's face when he held each of the girls for the first time and the love he poured down on them daily. 

Lucas loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. He was the ultimate ringleader of games.  During trips and family get togethers he would play countless games of mafia, mingle, liar’s dice and cards.  He was fiercely competitive and was the first to initiate a wrestling match, or sports game with a fair amount of trash talk. Erin said that one of his many spiritual gifts was riling children up.  He was blessed to be the Godfather of eight children.   He had other nicknames including King Neon (because of his neon shirts), Leaf Blower Man (for an antic involving a leaf blower in the house), and Cruncle (crazy uncle Lucas).  Lucas looked forward to his Sunday afternoon dominoes games with a group of friends from Immanuel.   

Lucas started his career teaching for Pacific Lutheran High School and became the Principal of the school after only six years of teaching. He had a passion for teaching in general and theology in particular and was that rare person who could bring humor to an otherwise dry subject. He worked tirelessly to improve the school's offerings and bring in quality teachers. Lucas went to great lengths to connect his students to Jesus

as their Lord and Savior and over the years had many students baptized. He was fiercely loyal to his teachers and staff, taking a personal interest in them and their family's wellbeing. 

A quote from Lucas's bio speaks volumes: "I am privileged when I am able to teach Theology and /or English courses at Pacific Lutheran Jr. /Sr. High School and the opportunity I'm afforded to connect Jesus Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection to the specific course content. There is no greater joy than seeing students understand all that God has done for them in Christ and helping to guide them along to their next station in life. What a wonderful task we have before us in this regard.” 

During his career as the principal of a small school, Lucas had the opportunity to wear many other hats as athletic director, teacher, and chief fundraiser.  He even completed all of the coursework to be qualified as an ordained minister.  His ultimate goal was to be a campus pastor for his school and baptize his students. Recently, Lucas was elected to the Board of Directors of the English District. In his free time, he loved playing with his girls, reading books, and collecting comic books, Captain America being his favorite. 

Whenever we love our family fiercely, whenever we dance a silly dance in public, whenever we tell a clever pun, whenever we selflessly show up for a friend in need or live sacrificially, whenever we speak out and defend the Gospel, whenever we remind someone that “Jesus loves you,” or live out our values with great conviction and integrity, we will remember Lucas Michael Fitzgerald. We look forward to being reunited with him in God’s perfect time.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School or to the family's Go Fund Me Page to help with family and medical expenses. Loving Support for Lucas Fitzgerald's Family, organized by Mychelle Fitzgerald

https://www.gofundme.com/f/loving-support-for-lucas-fitzgeralds-family

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lucas Michael Fitzgerald, please visit our floral store.